CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team topped Lee University 63-56, Thursday evening at Lee. Union, ranked No. 14 in the WBCA Coaches' Poll and No. 6 in the D2SIDA Media Poll, improved to 22-2 on the season and 15-1 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee dropped to 18-6 overall and 11-5 in conference play.

A layup from Lee's Erin Walsh started the ball game, to which Union's Chelsey Shumpert answered with two points of her own. The teams scored back-to-back points until the 5:21 mark when Shumpert hit a jumper to put Union up two points, 12-10 with 5:21 left in the first quarter. Union led by as many as five points in the opening quarter before taking a 16-13 lead into the second quarter. 

The Lady Bulldogs started the second quarter with a steal by Shumpert and a jumper from Anna Lea Little. Lee hit four unanswered points to put them within one of Union at 20-19. A three from Little with 3:24 left in the half gave the momentum back to Union. After another 3-pointer from Little, Union had their largest lead of the half, 30-21, before settling for a 30-23 lead at the half. 

Lee cut Union's lead down to two points in the third quarter. However, Little pulled out a big quarter for Union with eight points including two three's. to help keep the Lady Bulldogs in the lead. Union led by nine points, 48-39 at the end of three quarters. 

In the fourth quarter, Union's Shumpert scored all 15 of Union's points, including two three pointers and a 3-point play. She had 35 points in the game, 20 of those in the second half, 15 in the fourth quarter. After one of Shumpert's 3-pointers, Union held their largest lead of the game, 53-43, with 5:55 left to play. Lee got as close at four points a few times down the stretch, but Shumpert was 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 30 seconds to seal the 63-56 win. 

Union was led by Shumpert with 35 points and Little with 17 points, both tying their career high. Both Shumpert and Little added six rebounds and combined to shoot 100 percent (14-14) from the free throw line. Union shot 95 percent from the free throw line as a team. The Lady Bulldogs shot 33 percent from the field, including 31 percent (8-26) from long range. Union out rebounded Lee 39-36 in the game, and committed just 10 turnovers to 14 from Lee. 

Lee was led by Lindsey Roddy with 17 points, shooting 73 percent from the field (8-11), Carrie Cheeks with 13 points, shooting 86 percent from the field (6-7) while also adding 10 rebounds. Erin Walsh scored 10 points for the Lady Flames. Lee shot 42 percent from the field, 26 percent (4-15) from 3-point range, and just 35 percent (8-23) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union is their second road game on this trip at Shorter University, Saturday, February 10 at 1:00 p.m. Listen on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.

-UNION-